Barnes & Noble’s Nook Color was the first Android eReader, and among the first Android tablets released. Though the device was not meant to be used as a fully functional tablet, it gained much usability after developers started messing with the insides of this device (which actually has a lot of potential for a $250 gadget). The tablet has even had some Honeycomb action already, which is impressive. To take a look at everything you can do to a Nook Color, head over to NookDevs and check out its true potential.

Aside from devs playing around with the Nook, this tablet has not received much support, with only one update in the past, version 1.1.0 (with bug fixes and performance improvements). For those that have been waiting for some love straight from Barnes & Nobles, today is your lucky day. The Nook Color has been officially announced to receive an upgrade to version 1.2.0, which actually adds some more tablet-like features, as well as some other Nook additions.

The NOOK Color Ver1.2.0 update contains new features and enhancements, including:

Access to shop a broad collection of popular NOOK Appsâ„¢ to enjoy great games, stay up to date on news and weather, and more

NOOK Color’s update to Android OS 2.2/Froyo offers system improvements, browser performance and a more complete Web experience giving customers access to enjoy even more video, interactive and animated content. NOOK Color now includes support for Adobe® Flash® Player

NOOK Kidsâ„¢ exciting new Read and Play titles that bring animation, activities and stories together

NOOK Books Enhanced offer in-page video and audio in a growing number of titles

Enhancements to magazine navigation making it easier to enjoy even more of the growing selection of magazines in NOOK Newsstand

The update will start rolling out today, and according to Barnes & Nobles, it should arrive your device sometime this week. For those that are not very patient, there is actually a way to manually update the device, and Barnes and Nobles has given us some instructions to perform the manual update.

To get the update immediately, you can manually download the software update to your computer at any time and then copy it onto your NOOK Color. Simply follow the steps below. If you choose to wait for an automatic download when you’re connected to Wi-Fi, updates will begin rolling out to devices over the next few days:

Manual Download Instructions

1. From your computer, click here for the software update file. SelectSave and select Desktop as the location. Do NOT modify or change the downloaded file’s name in any way. Do NOT open the *.ZIP file.

3. Connect your NOOK Color to your computer using the USB cable that came with your NOOK Color. A new, removable drive should show up in My Computer (Mac users will see the NOOK Color drive appear on the desktop or in devices). You should also see a “USB Mode” message on your NOOK Color screen.

4. From your computer, drag and drop the downloaded *.ZIP file onto the main directory of the NOOK Color drive. Do NOT unzip the file. You should not create a new folder on the NOOK Color drive or add the file to any other existing folder.

5. Eject or Safely Remove the NOOK Color drive after the file transfer is complete.

6. Your NOOK Color will automatically recognize the file after a few minutes or when it goes to sleep mode, and proceed to install the updates.

7. Please do not turn off your NOOK Color during the installation process.

8. Once the installation is completed, your NOOK Color will automatically restart and go to the Home screen.

9. On the bottom left status bar a green “n” will appear. Tap on it; the software has been successfully updated.

NOOK Color must remain turned on while the update is being installed. Once the software is installed, NOOK Color will reboot itself back to the Home screen. To verify you have the latest update, tap Settings from the Quick Nav Bar, tap Device Info, then tap About Your NOOK Color and check to see that your software version is 1.2.0.

Congratulations, your NOOK Color has been updated! If you need additional help, please call Digital Customer Service support at 1-800-843-2665. Barnes & Nobles

Though the Nook is still officially not a full-featured tablet, it is nice to see some improvements and additions that make it closer to what a tablet should be. With all the hackery that the Nook Color has received, people may not even be that excited about this update, though. What do you guys think? Do we even care for this update? Are we already comfortable with the work that our friends (developers) have done?

Hello, I am Edgar Cervantes. I am an avid Android fan, and keeping myself updated on the topic is part of my daily life. I will always work hard to give the best of me to our community of Android enthusiasts, and I am very honored to be part of this ship. Hopefully we can all enjoy sharing our knowledge and opinions!

Most Tweeted This Week

I’m about to order one, it’ll be great as an ereader but for me it’s all about a $250 tablet with honeycomb, so big thanks to xda

http://Website Digger-Nick

Nook Color is the poor mans iPad.
i have an iPad 1.

http://scottn.us neutronscott

your poor ipad can’t do flash. :P

tee

Big deal, ewww i spent more money than you ewwwww
why you on this page anyway?

http://Website Mike

Could not ugrade to version 1.2. Downloaded file to PC but when I tried to open on both the PC and the Nook color I was informed the vile was invalid???

http://Website Â²

you have a kindle

http://Website persistent

youre not supposed to open the file! it clearly states that

http://Website Mariah Jo

Just a tip, but it took me about 3 hours to figure it out. To download manually, DONT ATTEMPT ON GOOGLE CHROME! It just doesnt work. Use Internet Explorer instead.

http://Website tissuebox

impressive. the speed improvement, flash videos, wifi connectivity (used to drop pretty often) had improved tremendously. the best part is the ability to download apps (without side loading) for ms exchange connectivity. the apps store provided touchdown, but personally would prefer moxier. the instructions are clear and i’ve got mine updated in 30mins, from download the 140mb file to actually using it with the new version.

http://Website Lauren

I wish I could manually download it but I need to call to get a warranty on mine.

My nook doesn’t charge and my windows 7 doesn’t even recognize it.

The only way I can get it to “charge” is to wiggle the plug around until it turns orange and it will say “not charging” under device info and slowly the battery charge will go up. It will have to sit like this all night in order to get to 100%.

My computer used to recognize my nook…I think this might have something to do with me recently installing Norton 360 on my computer, but who knows. I hope it downloads soon through wi fi!

http://Website lpollock

Lauren. I’m also having problems withthe cable & charging my pc has been so screwed up since I got 360 norton too. I’m frustrated and nook support has been no help

http://Website lulusoff

Since I installed 1.2.0 my internet wifi is all messed up. I have some IP conflicts. Nook sees my network then forgets it, then sees it again….
Am I the only one with this issue?

http://Website nunie

i tried to do a manual download as well. Followed the instructions exactly but nook has not recognized the file. In addition, my cable quit working… at first, I simply could not connect to my computer. Kept being told the device was drawing to much power or connection malfunction.

I have 4 computers in the house, my kids, my husbands, my mac and my spare, none of them worked but my husbands, just once. Then, my cable quit charging my nook. Had to call the CS number twice to be told they would send me a replacement. Tried to buy one at Best Buy or Barnes and Nobles but they don’t have any to buy. My friend has the same problem. She managed to borrow a spare USB cable from Barnes and Nobles. They know her by name because she’s been buying lots and lots of books for years before buying the nook. I have to say, this device has been disappointing and thinking about giving it away or selling it to buy an IPAD 2. Good luck to all…

http://Website Yuri

Even with all the hacking I find it great that the NOOK Color I find it great that there are new updates and apps! I am very happy and excited with all the work you guys have done! Great Job!!!!

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